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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Alexandra land as she flies off the horse?

2. For what do Jordan and Alexandra prepare?

3. What is Alexandra not allowed to do?

4. What does Jordan decide concerning his actions with married women?

5. Why doesn't Alexandra want to marry Will?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jordan's family learn about his whereabouts on the third day of waiting for news?

2. What happens nine years later that makes Jordan decide to stop having sexual relations with married women?

3. What does the Dowager say to Alexandra about Alexandra's future and what is Alexandra's response?

4. About what does Jordan change his mind and how does Alexandra respond? How does this scene begin a change in Jordan?

5. What does Alexandra bemoan as she is riding in the carriage?

6. What does Alexandra tell Jordan when she is finally able to speak with him?

7. How do the attackers react to Alexandra, and what does she do?

8. What does Jordan decide about having sex with Alexandra?

9. What conversation do Mrs. Lawrence and her daughter have about Will Helmsley?

10. Where does Alexandra go right after the conversation with her mother about Will Helmsley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Alexandra. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Jordan. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss two other characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

Essay Topic 2

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Something Wonderful" appears several times in the book. Discuss that theme and how it is related to the title.

3. If you were the writer of Something Wonderful and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Something Wonderful, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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